WATCH: Safety tips for celebrating with fireworks
The American Pyrotechnics Safety & Education Foundation provides safety tips for safe celebrations with fireworks.
Chris LaChall/Staff Photographer
The 4th of July is the most American of all holidays and – not surprisingly – also the one with the most fireworks.
Not surprisingly, most fireworks accidents are related to Independence Day celebrations.
More than 10,000 people learned too late, according to injury reports from 2022. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the eyes, head and hands bear the brunt of accidents.
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The National Safety Council also warns against underestimating the potential dangers of sparklers. They burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which can melt some metals. Nearly half of the estimated injuries occur in children under five.
Here is a list of safety tips from the Council:
● Never allow small children to handle fireworks.
●Older children should only use it under the strict supervision of an adult.
●Never use fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
●Anyone using or near fireworks should wear protective goggles.
●Never hold burning fireworks in your hands.
●Never light fireworks indoors.
●Use only away from people, houses and flammable materials.
● Never aim or throw fireworks at another person.
●Only light one device at a time and keep a safe distance after lighting.
●Never light devices in a container.
● Do not attempt to relight fireworks or tamper with them if they are malfunctioning.
●Allow spent and unused fireworks to soak for a few hours before disposal.
●Have a bucket of water ready.
● Consider using glow sticks, confetti poppers or colorful streamers instead.
Joe Smith is a Northeast Philadelphia native who moved to South Jersey 36 years ago and now follows South Jersey government. He is a former editor and current managing editor at the Daily Journal in Vineland, the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill and the Burlington County Times.
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